Hand held spinning toy with illuminated image

ABSTRACT

A hand held electronic spinning novelty toy that can illuminate a spinning centrally molded translucent three dimensional image with a film contained within, and with other spinning lighted elements capable of producing visual patterns in space.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of light up toys. Further, this relates to illuminated objects and to hand held spinning toys and spinning devices which produce circular arcs of light and imagery by turning LEDs on and off as they move through space in a scanning fashion. More particularly, this invention illuminates a central volume of space while simultaneously creating unique lighting patterns due to the spinning action of a motor, with the added feature that as elements of the toy spin, they increase their radius due to the centripetal force generated by spinning.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There are numerous scanning toys and appliances that rely on the spinning or vibrating action of an arm that is populated with LEDs along its length. In this manner words, numbers, and images can be displayed such as those used in some clocks. There are also toys that blink LEDs on and off to produce asynchronous patterns of light. And further, there are toys that illuminate objects with LEDs.

The present invention takes advantage of illuminating a three dimensional translucent figurine or shape and simultaneously rotating LEDs that are located at the end of arms which splay outward due to the centripetal force generated by spinning This produces a unique effect, which can appeal to a market driven by the marriage of technology and fun.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is a spinning toy that lights up.

A hand held spinning toy with illuminated image comprising a hand held base unit with a housing, a hand grip molded into the housing, an on/off switch, an internal power source, circuitry and wiring, LED lights, and a motorized device having a central subsystem spinning about a central axis, a translucent center-molded globe capable of transmitting light, at least one extension element that carries wiring extending from the central axis area to at least one LED light at the far end. The globe is constructed of two molded pieces that snap together, and the globe has a sculpted extension to form a three dimensional shape or recognizable image. The sculpting also has a film material internally housed which, when illuminated while spinning has an interesting visual appearance. The extension elements can be flexible or rigid, and they can extend to a maximum radius from a central axis of rotation as the central axis spins. While spinning, transmitted light extends into the sculpting. A sensor can provide a signal with each rotation or part thereof of the globe relative to the housing, and this can enable synchronization of power pulses of varying time and/or intensity with the three dimensional shape and/or recognizable image and internal film. There may also be a means to create at least one sound, which can also be synchronized with spinning and the lighted elements. There may also be a communication device that can receive data and/or signals via at least one of; RF, IR, acoustically, and/or other methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the invention showing the sculpted central rotating figure, the rotating elements, and the handle.

COMPONENTS

-   hand held base unit -   hand grip -   on/off switch -   internal power source -   LED lights -   motor -   translucent center-molded globe -   extension elements -   sculpting -   film material -   a sensor -   an RF and/or IR and/or acoustic receiving device

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the invention showing the sculpted central rotating FIG. 1 mid-rotation, the rotating elements 2 mid-rotation, and the handle 3.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the described preferred embodiments. Rather, various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A hand held spinning toy with illuminated image comprising of the following: a hand held base unit having a housing; a hand grip molded into the housing; an on/off switch; an internal power source; circuitry and wiring; LED lights; a motorized device having; a central subsystem spinning about a central axis, a translucent center-molded globe capable of transmitting light, at least one extension element extending from the central axis area that carries wiring to at least one LED light at the far end.
 2. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 1 wherein said globe is constructed of two molded pieces that snap together in place.
 3. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 2 wherein said two molded pieces have a sculpting extending beyond said globe above or outward to form a three dimensional shape or recognizable image.
 4. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 3 wherein said sculpting further comprises a film material internally housed.
 5. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 1 wherein said at least one extension elements are flexible or rigid.
 6. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 5 wherein said at least one extension element can extend to a maximum radius from said central axis of rotation.
 7. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 1 wherein said transmitting light extends into said sculpting.
 8. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 1 additionally comprising of a means to create at least one sound.
 9. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 3 further comprising at least one sensor or at least one sensing element.
 10. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 9 wherein said at least sensor or sensing element provides at least one signal with each rotation or part thereof of said globe relative to said housing.
 11. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 8 wherein said at least one sound is synchronized with said at least one sensor or sensing element.
 12. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 10 additionally comprising of a means to create at least one power pulse of varying time, or intensity, or varying time and intensity.
 13. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 12 wherein said at least one power pulse is synchronized to said at least one signal using said circuitry.
 14. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 11 wherein said at least one sound is synchronized with said three dimensional shape or recognizable image.
 15. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 10 further comprising a communication device that receives data or signals via at least one of: RF, IR, acoustically, or other methods.
 16. The hand held spinning toy with illuminated image of claim 15 wherein said data or signals control said LEDs or lighting of said image, or said at least one sound, or imagine and at least one sound. 